Brussels, 19/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The development ministers of the EU and their defence counterparts met for the first time, on Monday 19 November, to agree on a coherent policy between short-term security operations and development objectives in the long term. In their conclusions, they make practical recommendations in the field of strategic planning, the reform of the security and strategic partners system, humanitarian aid and security. They call upon the competent Councils in future to create more synergy between the questions of security and of development, particularly by organising joint meetings, and systematically carrying out evaluations and analyses on security and conflicts. In-depth consultations will also be organised at high level, to carry out strategic political studies into the resources to be deployed at the first signs of tension or instability in sensitive regions. On the reform of the security sector, the Council calls upon the member states to continue the exchange of information between all stakeholders, including non-European actors, and to organise evaluation studies to ensure a specific, well-coordinated commitment, in the greater context of democratic governance. Reiterating that the roles and mandates of the players in the field of humanitarian policy, development and security are different, they are nonetheless complementary, the Council added, and cooperation between these players must continue, whilst guaranteeing the impartiality and neutrality of humanitarian actions. For the future, the Council takes the view that security and development questions must call for particular attention from the future presidencies and calls upon the Commission, working together closely with the member states, to put together an action plan with a view to setting to music the proposed actions laid down in the conclusions which were adopted on Monday, and to put this plan to the Council. This action plan should take its inspiration from the lessons learned from experience gathered on the ground in certain countries, in order to structure and improve coordination of European activities. (I.L.)